The summer market closes on Tuesday, and while several deals remain in motion at Barcelona, both in terms of arrivals and departures, club executives are already planning a step ahead.
Unless there are major departures or an unexpected twist in the Julián Álvarez saga, no further high-profile signings are expected before the deadline. The Catalan club wants to preserve financial fair play room and budget for the January window, in case a strong option emerges to boost the forward line and the team's goalscoring competitiveness requires it.
Hansi Flick has been delighted with his side's opening two LaLiga fixtures, both won, against Elche and Athletic Club. Barcelona have scored seven goals and conceded none in that time. The attacking output has been especially striking given the club has not directly replaced the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, even though bolstering the attack was considered a priority by both coaching staff and executives heading into the summer.
Álvarez remained the only serious candidate to strengthen the forward line, and Atletico Madrid's refusal to negotiate has frustrated every plan Barcelona had drawn up around him.
With Atlético standing firm and Barcelona's forwards performing well in the meantime, Raphinha has operated as a false nine and has three goals to his name, the same tally as Fermín López. As a result, the club has effectively frozen any other business up front: either Álvarez arrives, or no other forward will be signed this summer.
A move for a new number nine in January has not been ruled out, however, depending on how the team's form, injuries and market availability develop over the coming months.
The one position that could still be strengthened before Tuesday is central defence. Ronald Araújo has already left the club, and Álvaro Cortés is expected to follow shortly, though Flick has plenty of alternatives to call upon, including Pau Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, Jules Koundé and Andreas Christensen, as well as Eric García.
Flick is discussing the decision with sporting director Deco this week. In any case, any new arrival at the back would depend on preserving enough fair play margin to sign a top-class striker in January - a scenario the club's executives are said to already be working towards, without wasting any time.
Barcelona are also working on two significant departures before the deadline: Marc Casadó, for whom the club hopes to bring in between €25m and €30m, and Héctor Fort, valued at around €15m.
Sources at the club insist the finances work, and if either sale is completed, a further late signing has not been ruled out should Flick request one.